SECTS BUT NO VIOLENCE; Irish Family-Film Maker and Religious Leader Can't Make a Profit in His Own Land

Byline: TOM PRENDEVILLE

HE'S never been at a showbiz bash, the film industry has never helped him with financial support and RTE has never shown his work - but this man is one of the best known movie-makers from this nation.

His films have won acclaim across the world with screenings in the US, Australia and Europe.

Writer and director Kevin Jacobsen is the head of a small religious community but spends his time working away on scripts and ideas.

But Kevin, who founded the community 30 years ago, and who is the son of a wealthy architect, isn't marketing the gospel.

He simply makes feature films on a whole host of subjects - and when he's not busy, he makes ropes for the fishing industry as well.

A remarkable achievement considering the community began from nothing and has never received a penny in aid from Ireland's subsidised film industry.

The small religious community has a fully functioning film production studio and editing facilities, a very healthy television and video distribution export market - and a 13-part TV series in the pipeline.

"Our day usually begins at 6.30am and we work throughout the day," he said.

"All nine of us in the community are involved in every aspect of the film-making process, from editing to set-making, filming with cameras and even acting."

Kevin's unusual religious community, the Soldiers of Love, is an integral part of Wicklow town's community.

Members are a familiar sight in the local church where they arrive every morning for Mass in distinctive blue hooded vestments emblazoned with a red cross.

The community is also peculiar in the sense that it is a mixed sex order - a rarity in Ireland.

"We lead a very full life in the community, and when we're not making films we manufacture braided ropes for the fishing industry. We have to make a living too," joked Kevin.

"Ours is a residential order and there are people involved in it from all walks of life. …

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